A dedication

Today I am dedicating my blog to all immigrants that have a story. Earlier in the day,   I was thinking about how stories can really touch somebody’s heart. Today I want to share a story about a family from El Salvador. As a dental assistant, we build a trust relationship between patients. This story captured my attention for the simple reason of “true love”. The sacrifices parents make to give their kids a better opportunity. This story involves a mother, who brought both of her kids to the United States. This story will hopefully make you realize that kids should not be blamed for being illegal. In the contrary, they are thankful for opportunities given and education offered. These two siblings were eye witnesses of a brutal massacre in their family. M-13 is a well-known dangerous and aggressive gang in El Salvador. These kids were hidden for months to prevent M-13 from capturing them. The kids had two options, either brutally murdered or had to enter their gang to remain alive. By entering the MS-13, they were required to murder a family member. After months of crossing the border and collecting money as a maid, she was able to pay a coyote for those kids. She wanted her kids saved and full of opportunities in their life. She obviously did not want her kids to remember their childhood as traumatic as it was. The kids are now about 19 and 22. Both of them traveled to Washington State to get a driver’s license, since is the only state in the US that only requires a state address.  I am sure that after the Deferred Action in 2013, they were able to receive their work permit and stay without worries. Just the fact of them constantly thanking their mother for the hard work touches my heart. The love of a mother can do amazing things.

I wanted to share this story because I was touched by it. I want YOU, the reader to feel and understand that every single immigrant in the world has a story.  Every person has a reason for their actions. At times, we as immigrants get looked down for our jobs.

I am fortunate to not have a similar story as this mother and her two kids. But I do feel identified with the kids and thankful for the opportunities given by family sacrifices. Now, I would like you to never look down at them. They are working hard for a love one. Wouldn't you do anything for someone you love?

DACA Dreamer

6 months in US

When I first moved to the United States, I was overwhelmed by the diversity in the region. I was born and raised in Melipilla, Chile.A very small rural city one hour from Santiago, Chile. The reason why I moved to the US was really unknown to me at first. Being the youngest of six, my family was always worried for me and my education. My father had moved to the US about one year ago to one of my sister's home, yet the reason to me was unknown. 

Moving to the United States was an adventure. I was told I was about to live an unforgettable experience.  However, at the end it was my decision to stay in the US or not. We traveled December 31^st of 2001. Would you believe the excitement I had flying for the second time in my life, yet this time was to North America. On top of that, we were celebrating New Year’s flying over Brazil. For a minute, I could see lights flashing in the air… Fireworks!

Arriving to VA was interesting. The people living in the area seemed very AMERICAN.  No buses, no taxis, no loud noises, no people walking around, no dogs, no trash. This place was completely different to what I was used to in Chile.  I started school the Monday after my arrival; immediately the guidance counselor at the middle school tested me to determine an English level (I scored a 1, of course). I was put in a classroom with A, B, C’s, animal prints, and numbers all over the wall. Most of my classmates spoke fluent Spanish, most of them from  El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, and Bolivia. Believe It or not I was the second Chilean in the school. To be honest, I was overwhelmed by the diversity in cultures in the area. I was intrigued to learn new cultures and beliefs. There was only one thing holding me back... the fact that my mother could not move to the US due to her job. I lived with my father, my sister and brother in law, and my two nephews. Even though I was enjoying school, and the attractions in VA. I was also missing the rest of my family in Chile, especially my mom. After six months, I decided to go back to Chile. 

Today my friends still ask why I decided to go back to Chile, when I was later going to move permanently to US. The only answer is that "If I didn't experience living in both places, I would have never made the most important decision in my life."

-- To be continued.. 

" Dream big, and believe you can achieve"--

A DACA Dreamer.